Former President Donald Trump’s arrest in Georgia on charges related to the 2020 election has not only made headlines but also sparked a significant surge in fundraising for his campaign. In the days that followed the release of his mugshot, Trump’s campaign reportedly amassed a staggering $7.1 million, primarily by selling merchandise featuring his image. This unexpected windfall comes at a crucial time for the former president, who is facing multiple indictments and mounting legal bills.

Despite his absence from the political spotlight since January 2021, Donald Trump’s fundraising prowess remains unparalleled. According to campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, the campaign has raised close to $20 million in the past three weeks alone. This surge in donations coincides with Trump’s arrest in Georgia and a separate 2020 election indictment in Washington, D.C. The campaign’s success can be attributed, in part, to organic fundraising efforts, with Trump’s tweet featuring his mugshot and website URL playing a significant role.

The fundraising numbers speak for themselves. In the second quarter, Trump raised an impressive $35 million, leaving his GOP competitors in the dust. His closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, raised $20.1 million during the same period. However, it’s worth noting that DeSantis launched his campaign later than Trump, giving the former president a head start in terms of fundraising efforts.

While Trump’s dominance in fundraising is evident, several factors complicate the overall picture in the Republican party. DeSantis, for instance, benefits from support from various groups with significantly stronger cash-on-hand numbers than those backing Trump. The New York Times reports that DeSantis has tens of millions more in funding, thanks to these supportive organizations. Additionally, Trump’s funds are being directed towards mounting legal bills as he defends himself against a series of indictments.

Another formidable contender in the GOP field is Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who reported a staggering $21 million cash on hand at the end of June. Scott has also attracted the support of prominent GOP megadonors, further solidifying his position as a serious contender.

While Trump, DeSantis, and Scott lead the pack in fundraising, other GOP candidates have struggled to attain the same level of financial backing. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who is largely self-funding his campaign, raised double-digit millions in the second quarter. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who has risen to third place in polling, also managed to raise a respectable $7.7 million during the same period, thanks in part to his personal wealth.

On the Democratic side, Joe Biden continues to dominate both fundraising and the polls as he seeks a second term in office. With $19.9 million raised in the second quarter and $20.1 million cash on hand, Biden maintains a significant financial advantage over his Democratic rivals. The closest contender, Robert F. Kennedy, had $4.5 million cash on hand by the end of June, highlighting the stark difference in fundraising success between Biden and the rest of the Democratic field.

Biden’s fundraising success can also be attributed to his joint-fundraising committees, which have brought in tens of millions of dollars for himself and other Democratic operations. This additional support further solidifies his position as the frontrunner within the party.

Despite the financial gaps between the leading GOP candidates, several contenders managed to meet the fundraising and polling criteria to participate in the first 2024 Republican primary debate in Milwaukee. DeSantis, Scott, Ramaswamy, and Burgum all qualified for the event, alongside other notable figures such as Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, and Asa Hutchinson. Trump, however, declined to participate, choosing instead to do an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson.

As the race for the 2024 presidential nomination heats up, fundraising will continue to play a pivotal role in determining the viability of each candidate. While Trump’s recent fundraising success has undoubtedly solidified his position as the frontrunner, the competition remains fierce. DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Scott, and other contenders are determined to close the financial gap and challenge Trump’s dominance in the race.